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380AEW Article

Q&A with the boss...Parting thoughts from Brig. Gen. Kevin Schneider, commander, 380th Air Expeditionary Wing

  • Published
  • By Maj. Jefferson S. Heiland
  • 380th Air Expeditionary Wing
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Just before Air Force Brig. Gen. Kevin Schneider handed over the reins to the next commander of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia, he took time June 13, 2014, to answer some questions and give the Airmen here some insight to his thoughts about his experience over the last year.

Q. What do you remember about how you felt when you knew you were coming here?

A. I remember feeling a little overwhelmed with the size of the operation here. My previous wing command was the 80th Flying Training Wing at Sheppard - a much smaller organization with a narrowly defined mission. What struck me about the 380th (even before I arrived) was that the wing seemed to be doing just about everything, all the time, all over the AOR. It was a struggle to try and keep up with the complexities of executing a number of diverse missions, around the clock, in a combat environment from multiple locations.

Q. What about your family's reaction to learning of the deployment?

My wife was mentally prepared and knew this was probably going to happen. She was happy for me to have the opportunity to command again, but did not look forward to the family separation aspect. My kids were pretty young when I did my last remote tour (2003-2004) so they don't remember much of that experience or what it meant when I told them, "Daddy's going to go away for a year." They just knew this was going to be tough.

Q. What was your biggest challenge during the deployment?

A. Trying to keep up with all that goes on in the 380th AEW. I'm not sure I ever mastered that one but was blessed to have great commanders and leadership teams who did keep up with everything and made my job easier.

Q. What is your fondest memory?

A. Two things stick out. One--I was able to fly an OEF combat mission leading a 2-ship of F-15Es with the EOG/CC. Col. Tim "Goose" Gosnell and I have been friends since '96-'97 from our days in the F-16. Two--the friendship we had amongst the Phantom leadership team. I really enjoyed the times we sat and hung out in our quad.

Q. Was there a turning point during your time here that sticks in your mind or somehow defines the deployment for you?

A. This isn't necessarily a turning point, but...the 380th AEW/CV (Jay Copher) was remarking one day about just standing on the flightline and watching the constant flurry of activity that goes on all the time. I had been out there so many times and had seen it, but the thought didn't really register before that. I suppose it had become second-nature but Jay's remark, it made me realize how impressive and complex the whole operation really is. What other wing does this? Who could do it 24/7/365 in a brutal and unforgiving environment? And it made me truly appreciate the amazing work that every Airman in the 380th AEW accomplishes to make the missions happen every day.

Q. Did you learn anything here from an unexpected source?

A. I learned our Airmen have amazing stories and experiences. I learned a great deal from everyone I was able to talk to.

Q. What was your most frequent or effective means of passing time here?

A. I am not sure I managed time well and didn't seem to have much spare time. I was able to work out most nights and spent a fair amount of time working out in the gym or on the track.

Q. Thinking of something you had to sacrifice or give up for this deployment (something tangible but not family or a person), what is the one thing you look forward to most when you get home?

A. I was going to say, "Spending time with my wife and daughters," but you took that off the table--and if my wife asks, you had better say that was my first answer! I am a competitive pistol shooter (IPSC/USPSA) and obviously had to step away from that for over a year. I would like to try and get back into that.

Q. What is the one food or drink that you have missed the most and look forward to having at home?

A. Diet Mountain Dew.